Abstract
This paper discusses the results of usability tests obtained when testing different sets of icons in a word processor environment. An alternative set of icons was developed for a subset of word processor functions and compared to the standard icons. The score obtained for completed tasks as well as the time taken to complete tasks successfully were evaluated. Results indicate that the score is not affected by the icons used in the interface. It was noted that word processor expertise and the icons used have a significant effect on the time taken to complete some tasks. However, each of these factors exhibits an effect in only a single task completed in the prototype. Possible reasons for the significant difference are discussed.
Chapter PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Kacmar, C.J., Carey, J.M.: Assessing the usability of icons in user interfaces. Behaviour and Information Technology 10(6), 443–457 (1991)
Cyr, D., Trevor-Smith, H.: Localization of web design: An empirical comparison of German, Japanese, and U.S. website characteristics (retrieved February 24, 2005), from www.eloyalty.ca/docs/Localization_of_Web_Design.pdf
Johns, S.M.: Colors, buttons, words and culture: Designing software for the global community (retrieved February 24, 2005), from http://www.sensi.org/~alec/locale/other/colore~1.htm
ISO9241. ISO 9241-11: Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals. Beuth, Berlin (1998)
Cato, J.: User-centered web design. Addison-Wesley, Great Britain (2001)
Shneiderman, B.: Designing the user interface: Strategies for effective human-computer interaction, 3rd edn. Addison-Wesley, United States of America (1998)
Abran, A., Khelfi, A., Surya, W., Suryn, W., Seffah, A.: Usability meanings and interpretations in ISO standards. Software Quality Journal 11, 325–338 (2003)
Benbasat, I., Todd, P.: An experimental investigation of interface design alternatives: icon vs. text and direct manipulation vs. menus. International Journal of Man-Machine Studies 38, 369–402 (1993)
Schild, W., Power, L.R., Karnaugh, M.: Pictureworld: A concept for future office system. IBM, Thomas J. Watson Research Center, Yorktown Heights, NY, RC 8384 (#36518) (1980)
Zammit, K.: Computer icons: a picture says a thousand words or does it? Journal of Educational Computing Research 23(2), 217–231 (2000)
Teklebrhan, R., Blignaut, P.: A study on the effect of Western designed metaphors in some culture groups in South Africa. Department of Computer Science and Informatics: University of the Free State, Technical Report 2005/02 (2005)
Nielsen, J.: Outliers and luck in user performance. Alertbox (March 6, 2006), http://www.useit.com/alertbox/outlier_performance.html
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this paper
Cite this paper
Beelders, T.R., Blignaut, P.J., McDonald, T., Dednam, E. (2007). The Impact of Different Icon Sets on the Usability of a Word Processor. In: Aykin, N. (eds) Usability and Internationalization. HCI and Culture. UI-HCII 2007. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 4559. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73287-7_31
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-73287-7_31
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-540-73286-0
Online ISBN: 978-3-540-73287-7
eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)